Lamp



May Z9, 1934.

T. K. WEBSTER, JR

LAMP

Filed May 15. 1931 Patented Mey 29, 1934 narran s'rA'r-ss escasez LAMPTowner K. Webster, Jr.

, Winnetka, Ill., assigner to Webster Products Corporation, Chicago,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application May 15, 1931, Serial No.537,537

16 Claims.

My invention concerns chiefly a portable lamp in which the lamp bulb iswithin and substantially concealed by a vase adapted to be set on amantel shelf, chest, table, or the like-preferably high enough to bringthe top of the vase near or above eye heightand arranged to throw thelight rays divergently upwardly to the ceiling and thus to illuminatethe room indirectly.

My invention also concerns a reflector placed between the vase and thelamp and means for supporting it from, and at a spaced distance inwardlyfrom, the inside wall of the vase. The use of a separate reflectoraffords a better reflecting surface than could be incorporated on theinside 153 wall of the vase itself. It also permits an insulating spacebetween the reflector and the vase to prevent the detrimental effect ofthe overheating of the surface material of the vase, and theeifectiveness of this insulating space is preferably in- 120 creased byproviding an upward air passage through the bottom of the vase, wherebya chimney-like action is obtained for the up-owing air between thereflector and the vase and between the reflector and the lamp bulb. Ipreferably solve the problem of mounting the reector on the hard smoothinside wall of the vase, by areas of fabric tape or the like secured onthe inner wall of the vase and engaged by prong fingers extending fromthe reflector.

Another feature of my invention is the mounting of the lamp socket froma base which is made of a more substantial material which permits thevase itself being made thinner and of a lighter and less expensivematerial, such as a papieri mch.

Another feature is the switch control arrangement convenientlyaccessible from without the vase and yet utilizing a standard switchtype of lamp socket.

rIhese, together with other objects, features and advantages of myinvention, are set forth in the following description of a specificembodiment thereof, and in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of my vase lamp; Fig. 2 is a longitudinalcross section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a plan view; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detailed plan sectiontaken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate somewhat diagrammatically alternative methodsofholding down the lower end of the reflector.

The vase portion proper 10 of my vase lamp is here shown of invertedbell form and is pref- (Cl. E40-81) erably formed from a tightly pressedor molded pulp material such as papier-mch. It may be suitably lacqueredinside and out to give the desired surface texture and color. The base11 may be of wood, metal, or, as here shown, of molded composition. Thevase has a down-turned leg and lia-nge 12 and a top plate 13. A standardlamp socket 14 is mounted bythe nuts 15 cen-k trally of the top plate13. At its margins the top plate`13 is secured by screws 16 to thethickened inturned bottom flange 17 of the vase l0. The flange 17 leavesa large circular opening 18 in the bottom of the vase. This openingprovides for an upward air passage and also permits the insertion of thesocket 14 after the socket has been assembled upon the base 11, therebysimplifying the assemblage. The top plate 13 of the base 11 is of spiderform, leaving kidney-shaped air passages 19 communicating with the airpassage 18 in the bottom of the vase.

The switch in the socket is preferably of the pull chain type, the chain2O extendingrthrough an eyeleted opening 21 in the wall of the vaseradially opposite the chain port 22 of the socket. Preferably only theterminal 23 of the chain is normally exposed.

A frusto-conical sheet metal reflector 24 is interposed between the wallof the vase and the lamp bulb 25. 'Ihe reflector is preferably more orless vertically centered opposite the filament point of the lamp, withthe upper edge of the reflector an inch or two below the top of thevase. Dropping the filament point of the bulb some distance below thetop edge of the vase has the dual function of properly narrowing theangle of light emanating from the vase, and preventing the more intenselight from normally reaching ones eyes if the top edge of the vaseshould come a little below eye level. I have found that nickel platedsheet Zinc is a satisfactory and economical material for the reflector,which may be drawn from iiat stock, spun from tubular stock, or, as hereshown, rolled up from sheet stock and seamed as at 26. The top andbottom edges of the reflector are preferably beaded as at 27 and 28 forreinforcement and for preventing cutting of the hand when the lamp bulbis unscrewed or the inside of the reflector is cleaned.

The inner surface of the vase is smooth and hard. To form metallic orintegral attaching means for the reflector would be expensive and wouldcomplicate the inside mold in the manufacture of the vase proper. Theinexpensive reflector attaching means I have here shown comprises a setof three spring metal strips 29 spaced ssi about the outer side of thereflector and extending longitudinally from substantially top to bottom.rIhey are here shown as riveted to the reflector at 30. The upper end ofeach strip 29 is horizontally offset to engage the outwardly flaringmouth of the vase l0. The lower end of each strip 29 terminates in apointed nger or claw 32, which is turned outwardly and somewhatupwardly. Preferably, however, the claws 32 do not directly engage theinner wall of the vase, but engage patch-like pieces of fabric 33, suchas gummed tape, secured at corresponding intervals about the inner wallof the vase opposite the claws.

In assembling, the reflector with its anchoring strip 29 is insertedinto the belled mouth of the vase until stopped by the outer ends of theupper offsets 3l engaging the narrowing diameter of the vase. Thepointed ends of the spring claws 32 are then engaging the anchoringfabrics 33. Any subsequent inverting of the vase, or vibration inshipping, will not let the reflector work out of position because theclaws 32 only dig more tightly into the fabrics 33. The offsets 31 andthe claws 32 hold the reflector in properlyspaced position in referenceto the wall of the vase and to the lamp bulb.

The lacquer or other surface finishing for the inside wall of the vasewould be detrimentally affected if directly exposed to the heat of therelatively powerful lamp bulb, as might also the papier-mch material ofthe vase itself. The reflector 24, in addition to increasing thelighting effect of the lamp vase, prevents such overheating of the innerwall of the vase. 'Ihe reflector shieldsthe wall from the more directand close radiation from the lamp bulb. The metallic reflector alsotends to diffuse over a large area such heat as it does absorb.

The air between the reflector and the bulb, and also to a lesser extentbetween the reflector and the wall of the vase, is heated, causing achimney-like action on the air, which draws a substantial current upbetween the legs of the base, through the air passages 19 and 18, pastthe reflector, and out through the mouth of the vase.

My lamp vase may be set on a mantel, shelf, piano, or wall bracket,chest, or other convenient place where preferably the top of the vasecomes below eye height, or at least not much lower than eye height. Itsdivergent light isdirected upon the ceiling and, depending upon itsparticular placement, on the upper walls. The room is thus illuminatedindirectly but relatively uniformly. The lamp, however, whether in useor not in use, preserves the appearance of an ornamental vase, as thesource of light is not directly visible.

Only the terminal 23 of the pull chain is normally visible. Locating thepull chain port 21 directly opposite the port 22 of the pull chainsocket subjects the chain itself to a minimum of wear or likelihood offailure in service. The use of a light vase wall, with a heavier base,and the mounting of the socket member near the base, gives a greaterstability to the vase, permitting the use of slender and graceful linesforsthe vase with small danger of breakage or upsetting.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated alternative methods of holding downthe lower end of the reflector, In Fig. 5 a plurality of wires 35 extendfrom holes in the lower end of the reflector down to the base, wherethey pass through suitable holes in the base spider plate 13. 'I'hey maybe anchored by offsetting the ends of the wires. The

anchoring strips 29 and their offsets 3l are used, but the spring claws32 are omitted.

In the modification of Fig. 6 the spring claws 32 at the lower ends ofthe strips 29 are similarly omitted, but one of the strips 29 continuesas a downward extension 36 to the eyelet 2l, by which it is anchoredagainst the inside wall of the vase.

I claim: K

1. A vase lamp comprising a vase having upwardly diverging walls and anopen top, a lamp bulb within the vase, an upwardly diverging reflectorsurrounding the bulb and spaced from it and the wall of the vase, thetop of the bulb and the top of the reflector being spaced downwardlyfrom the top of the vase, and means engaging the inner wall of the vasefor holding the reflector in position, said wall engaging means beingthe sole means of supporting the reflector and permitting the insertionof the reflector into the vase but preventing its removal.

2. A vase lamp comprising a vase of an inverted bell form, a lamp bulbwithin the vase, a socket for the lamp bulb supported wholly by the,bottom of the vase lamp, a reflector surrounding the lamp bulb andspaced inwardly from the outwardly flaring-wall of the vase, and meansengaging the inner surface of the vase in the regionof the reflector andconstituting the sole support for the reflect-or, said means comprisingan outwardly and upwardly extending claw for engaging the inner wall ofthe vase.

3. A vase lamp comprising a vase having a hard smooth inner surface, alamp bulb within the vase, and a reector surrounding the lamp bulb andspaced inwardly from the wall of the vase, means for supporting thereflector from the wall of the vase comprising an outwardly and upwardlydirected claw extending from the reflector, and a layer of softer andsemi-penetrable material on the inside surface of the wall of the vaseadapted to be engaged by said claw.

4. A vase lamp comprising a vase having a hard smooth inner surface, alamp bulb within the vase, a reflector surrounding the lamp bulb andspaced inwardly fromthe wall of the vase, means for mounting thereflector on the inner surface of the wall of the vase comprising aplurality of claws extending outwardly from the reflector at one endthereof, a plurality of spacing members extending outwardly from thereflector at the other end thereof for engagement with the wall of thevase, and areas of soft material secured on the inner surface of thevase in the vicinity of said claws and adapted to be engaged thereby toprevent removal of the reflector.

`5. A vase lamp comprising a vase having a hard smooth inner surface, alamp bulb within the vase, a reflector surrounding the lamp bulb andspaced inwardly from the wall .of the vase, means for mounting thereflector on the inner surface of the wall of the vase comprising aplurality of claws extending outwardly from the reflector at the bottomthereof, a plurality of spacing members extending outwardly from thereflectorat the top thereof for engagement with the wall of the vase,and areas of soft material secured on thev inner surface of the vase inthe vicinity of said claws and adapted to be engaged thereby to preventremoval of the reflector.

6. A vase lamp comprising a vase having a hard smooth inner surface, alamp bulb within the vase, a reflector surrounding the lamp bulb andspaced inwardly from the wall of the vase, means for mounting thereflector on the inner surface of the wall of the vase 'comprising aplurality of angularly spaced spring metal strips secured longitudinallyof the reliector and having at their upper ends outward oisets forspacing the relect-or from the inner surface oi the wall of the vase andhaving at their lower vends outwardly and upwardly extending claws, andfabric adhering to the inner surface of the-wall of the vase adjacentthe claws and engaged thereby.

'7. A vase lamp comprising a thin walled vase member, of pulp material,a base of heavier material, a narrow thickened inturned flange at thebottom of the vase defining a large central opening, means for securingthe base to said ilange at the under side of the flange, a spidercentrally of the base having a hub portion and air passage openingscommunicating with said central opening of the Vase-like member, a lampsocket mounted on said hub and extending upwardly into the vase, and alamp bulb mounted in the socket and below the upper edge of the vaselikemember.

8. A reilector for a Vase lamp of the type described comprising anupwardly diverging sheet wall, a plurality of radially spaced outwardlyprojecting spacing members near the top, and a plurality of outwardlyand upwardly extending spring claws near the bottom of the reflector.

9. The combination with a vase lamp comprising a base having an upwardlydirected lamp socket mounted thereon, an open top vase member oflacquered relatively light pulp material mounted at its bottom on thebase, and a lamp bulb mounted in the socket and disposed within the vasemember below the top thereof ,-of means .for protecting the insidesurface of the vase member from the heat of the lamp bulb comprising areflector shell surrounding the bulb and at a. spaced distance inwardlyfrom the inner surface of the vase member, forming upward air 'jpassages between the reiiector shell and the vase and between thereflector shell and the bulb, and communicating air inlet passages inthe bottom of the vase member and in the base, discharging air upwardlythrough the lower interior of the vase member, through to both of saidupward air passages and out through the open top.

10. The combination with a vase lamp comprising a base having anupwardly directed lamp socket mounted thereon, an open top vase memberof lacquered relatively light pulp material mounted at its bottom on thebase, the vase member having a smooth, relatively hard inner surface,and a lamp bulb mounted in the socket and disposed within the vasemember below the tcp thereof,--of means for protecting the insidesurface of the vase member from the heat of the lamp bulb comprising areflector shell surrounding the bulb and at a spaced distance inwardlyfrom the inner surface of the vase member, forming upward air passagesbetween the redector shell and the vase and between the reflector Shelland the bulb, communicating air inlet passages in the bottom of the vasemember and in the base, discharging air upwardly through the lowerinterior of the vase member to both said upward air passages, and meansfor supporting the reflector shell wholly from said inner surface of thevase member.

11. A vase lamp comprising a vase member .j having an upwardly andoutwardly flaring open -provide air passages between the bulb andreflector and 'between the reflector and the vase suspension membersextending between the upper end of the reilector and the inner surfaceof the flared portion of the vase below the upper edge thereof forsuspending the reflector, and means engaging the lower end of thereflector for holding down the lower end of .the reilector.

12. A vase lamp comprising a vase having an upwardly and outwardlyflaring top, a lamp bulb mounted within the vase irember, a reilectorsurrounding the lamp bulb and disposed below the top of the vase memberand spaced inwardly from the wall ef the vase member, and means forsecuring the reflector in the vase member comprising radial spacingmembers extending between the reflector and the daring wall of the vasemember, and tension members extending from the rellector to the bottomof the vase member and anchored thereto for holding down the reflector.Y

13. A vase lamp comprising a vase member flaring upwardly and outwardlyat its upper end, an upwardly opening vertically disposed lamp socketmounted within the vase at its lower end and including a switch havingan operating pull chain, a lamp bulb mounted in the socket and withinthe vase, a reflector within the vase and surrounding the lamp bulb andspaced inwardly from the wall of the vase, an eyeleted aperture in thelower wall of the vase through which the pull chain extends, and meansfor mounting the rellector from the inside wall of the vase comprising astrip extending downwardly beyond the lower end of the reflector andclamped against the inside of the wall of the vase member by saideyelet.

14. The combination with a vase lamp for indirect ceiling-reflectionillumination, comprising an open top vase body having an upwardly andoutwardly ilaring open top, the body being formed of a lacquered pulpmaterial, an upstanding lamp bulb mounted within the vase body anddisposed below the upper edge thereof and with its region of maximumdiameter adjacent the inner surface of the vase body-or" means forprotecting the vase body and its lacquer surface from deleteriousoverheating from the lamp bulb, comprising a heat conducting metalannular reiiector vertically positioned within the vase body below theupper edge thereof and opposite the said region oi` greatest diameter oithe lamp bulb and extending a substantial distance thereabove andtherebelow whereby the reilector conducts heat vertically to dissipatethroughout its area the heat tending to concentrate in areas on thereflector opposite said region, the reilector being radially positionedintermediate the bulb and vase body to leave air passage spaces betweenthe bulb and reector and between the reflector and the inner surface ofthe vase body, and a base for the vase body adapted to rest upon a shelfor cabinet top and providing an air inlet passage to the bottom of thevase body for upward passage therewithin of air by natural draftresulting from the heat of the lamp bulb through both said passagespaces in heat transferring surface contact with substantially theentire area of the reflector and out through the open top of the vasebody, for absorbing from the reflector the heat thus dissipatedthroughout its area.

15. A vase lamp for indirect ceiling-reflection illumination, comprisingan open top vase body of tubular shape having a relatively broad bottom,a base upon which the bottom of the body rests, the base having feet forspacing it from the supporting surface for the base, a lamp socketsupported within the vase, an upstanding lamp bulb supported by thesocket and disposed below the upper edge of the vase, an annularreflector surrounding the lamp bulb and below the upper edge of the vaseand spaced from the inner surface of the vase body and from the lampbulb to provide vertical air passages, an air inlet opening in thebottom of the vase body, and an associated air inlet opening in thebase, whereby a natural draft of cooling air may pass inwardly beneaththe base and its supporting surface, through said associated openings inthe base and in the bottom of the body, upwardly through the Vase bodyand through said passages and out through the top of the body, one ofsaid associated openings being restricted radially of the vase toconfine the downwardly directed light to an area well within theperiphery of the base to prevent the leakage of light at the bottom ofthe vase through the air inlet.

16. A vase lamp'comprising a vase open at its top, a lamp bulb withinthe vase, a reflector within the vase and set below the top edge of thevase and surrounding the lamp but spaced from the wall of the vaseleaving an outer passage therebetween and also spaced from the lampleaving an inner space between the lamp and reflector, air passagesthrough the vase at its lower end for conducting air upwardly to saidinner and outer passages, the inner and outer passages being open attheir upper ends, the air in the inner passage coming in contact withthe lamp and heated thereby to cause the air to move upwardly outthrough the open top of the inner passage and the reector being subjectto heat from the lamp and the air in the outer passage being in contactwith the reflector to receive heat therefrom whereby the air in ltheouter passage is also heated to cause it to ow upwardly through the opentop of the outer passage, whereby the vase lamp is cooled.

TOWNER K. WEBSTER, JR.

